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Today I was having a lot of trouble with Galen pulling on his leash. At one point he tried to chase some robins and hit the end of his leash, hard. I turned him around walked 100 feet in the opposite direction at a brisk clip. No robins for Galen.
I spent the rest of the walk practicing leash manners. Whenever he got ahead of me and pulled, I just stopped dead. I stood there until he turned and took a step back to me. In contrast, when he stayed next to me, sometimes I would stop for no reason at all. If he was paying attention and sat down promptly he got a treat.
So, we continued ambling along in this manner with frequent stops until we saw a utility crew. Wow, interesting, check it out! Galen strained forward to check on the workmen, and I stopped dead because he was yanking on my arm. Same deal as the rest of the walk, just something more interesting ahead. Galen turned around to see why I'd stopped. Then he gave the loudest sigh I've ever heard him utter and moved over to position himself at my heel. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing at his exasperation.
Of course I gave him a treat and let him walk over to the inspect the work site. I even took him on a little detour so that he could sneak up on a chipmunk hole without needing to pull on his leash. Might as well make it fun to be a good dog.
I spent the rest of the walk practicing leash manners. Whenever he got ahead of me and pulled, I just stopped dead. I stood there until he turned and took a step back to me. In contrast, when he stayed next to me, sometimes I would stop for no reason at all. If he was paying attention and sat down promptly he got a treat.
So, we continued ambling along in this manner with frequent stops until we saw a utility crew. Wow, interesting, check it out! Galen strained forward to check on the workmen, and I stopped dead because he was yanking on my arm. Same deal as the rest of the walk, just something more interesting ahead. Galen turned around to see why I'd stopped. Then he gave the loudest sigh I've ever heard him utter and moved over to position himself at my heel. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing at his exasperation.
Of course I gave him a treat and let him walk over to the inspect the work site. I even took him on a little detour so that he could sneak up on a chipmunk hole without needing to pull on his leash. Might as well make it fun to be a good dog.